Quiet Time

The last two weeks has been quiet time with the builder.  Two weeks ago, they poured the  slab and it takes about 1week to really cure and another week waiting for the delivery of the frames. 

It has been a bit busy on the finance side as we were taking care of the 1st progress payment but found some roadblock with the bank.   Hopefully it does not lead to further delays.


We filed for an extension on the FHOG.  We submitted 2 letters for the extension - one from us, and another from the builder.  Still praying that we get the full amount.  I will be sad if we miss it.

We also met with the landscape supplier now we are able to visualize the requirement and what can be done to minimize the cost.  We plan to have a deck but still not finalized.

On the electrical contractor - we more or less agree on the A/C to get... the Actron ESP+.  On the lighting... we have not finalized it yet but when I visited Beacon Lighting... it did help talking to someone to understand the different downlights.

Invoice Received

I just got from the mail the invoice from the builder for the slab being complete  It is nice to here that after 1.5 months, the first stage is complete.  

I passed by the project site yesterday and I saw the workers working on the site.  Probably removing the other stuff they used when they poured the slab last week.


Now where did I put that form from the bank?  :)

Concreting of the Slab - Scheduled today

I asked my wife to visit the site to see if workers are there. True enough a mixer was on standby. She didn't go down to check further but seeing people working on site is already good news for us since any
rainfall does affect the schedule.

Then this afternoon, I emailed the customer service rep of the builder and she confirmed that today is the day. I asked Joanna to pass by after picking up the kids. Hopefully a few snaps. If not I will be there on-site tomorrow.

Still a lot of things to finalise:
1. Kitchen plans still not finalised with the builder with minor difference of what was discussed with the contractor and what is reflected on the plan.
2. Electrical - still working at finalising the details of the lighting and upgrades we want. Hopefully finalise it within the next week so we can get a new quotation. So far, the pricing for the AC is slightly
better than expected.
3. FHOG application details
4. Landscapes and driveways.

Work continues... post rain fall

Visited the block of land today and saw the trades people hard at
work. One guy said, "I should have prayed harder so the rains would
stop so we can finish the work on the slab". I can't agree more. When
it started to rain yesterday, I knew it was a few steps back from where
they were progressing. Anyway, here we are going to wish for a sunny
week.

Rainy Day = no work

Since we are in the concreting stage ... i visited the site at 9am today and no work since it has been raining all morning.  I did take a few photos of the progress so far.

photos to follow.

Excess Soil Removed... now my pocket hurts

During the morning of 3rd August 2010, the builder called me on my mobile asking me to remove the soil asap so as not to delay the progress on the slab. 
She asked that I remove about 50-60 tonnes of dirt.  I asked how much that would cost and they patched me through their concrete contractor
 to discuss my option.  he said it would be about 4-6 truck loads... I said I will go and canvass first and ask my wife. 

We agreed on the price - $600/truck, since it was cheaper than what we canvassed and they can do it within the day. 
Cost is inclusive of removal (excavator, trucks and tipping to a somewhere else). 

Then during lunch time, the contractor contacted me that it looks like it will be 7-8 trucks and wanted me there so I can see for myself.  It was a good thing that I was able to leave the office to check it out.  True enough the day ended with 8 trucks - paid the contractor $4800 just to throw the excess soil. 

We felt so down for several reasons:
1.  It was an out of pocket expense and not planned for.  5 grand in one day really hurts the pocket...
2.  Putting it in the tender as a provisional allowance would have been easier so it can be part of the loan.
3.  They didn't tell us about it before hand.  Maybe it was one of those fine lines that we need to read again.  Or we expected it but we thought we need to do that prior to moving into the house. 

Key learnings:
1.  Make sure that removal of excess soil is part of the provisional allowance.
2.  Once they start piering, look for a place to dump the dirt, maybe someone looking for additional fill.  That should minimize the the cost you have to pay. 
3.  Leave some dirt so you don't need to get another clean fill when you complete the landscaping later on.